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The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 2005-06-18

The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 2005-06-18 page 1

iMWtt ^Reporter! * 1 ? Email: www.reporter140juno.com ?V your Reporter Newspaper's primary mission is to.... "Cover the News of Northeastern Ohio comprehensively, fairly, and accuratelyr A Light In The Darkness vol. xxxvi ?- w june 18,2005 thru June 25,2005 SECTION A 25 Cents Per Copy ? NOT GUILTY Accuser's Mother Sunk the Cose, Soy Jurors On Monday, June 13, a jury of 12 men and women found superstar Michael Jackson NOT GUILTY on all charges in his child molestation case. The key issue seemed to be the credibility of the accuser's mother according to news reports.The jury acquitted Jackson of 10 counts of molestation, attempted molestation, plying minors with liquor and conspiracy. Jurors deliberated for more than 24 hours over a seven day period before announcing the unanimous decision.Jackson was accused of molesting the now 15-year-old boy, who spent time at his Noverland ranch and appeared with him on the 2003 British documentary "Living With Michael Jackson." One inror said he believes that Jackson may be guilty, but the prosecution did not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Defense attorneys for J acktcm cart doubt oath* credibility of the accuser and his family, particularly his mother She testified that Jackson allegedly conspiried to hold her and her family hostage so they But the various defense witnesses protraved her as a welfare cheat who exploited her son's illness to contact celebrities and live lavishly off Jack son "I don't believe the mother inflicted good values in her kids and that made it hard for me to believe anyone in the family," one juror said. With a sigh of relief from Jackson's adoring fans, the questions now remains whether Jack son has learned his lesson about having young children sleep in his bed?; bow this will affect his superstar status?; and will he be able to reconstruct his career? "We stopped seeing Jackson as a celebrity and started seeing him as a regular person NAACP To Name Corporate Executive As Its Next President By Makebra M. Anderson NNPA National Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA)- A special NAACP search committee has recommended that former President and CEO Kweisi Mufume be succeeded by Bruce Gordon, a former senior executive at Verizon. The full board is expected to accept the recommendation when it meets June 25 in Atlanta. "I think this is an excellent choice. I think it's the best choice the NAACP has made since they had [Benjamin L.] Hooks," says Harry Alford, president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. "Gordon has good corporate executive experience, but he's also been in charge of diversity over at Verizon, so he knows how and what a major corporation can do." The selection of Gordon caught even some board members by surprise. Acting President Dennis Hayes did not leam of the selection until the story was broken last Friday by April Ryan on American Urban Radio Network. An unknown in the civil rights movement, Gordon's impending confirmation is expected to alter some of the friction that previously existed - but was publicly denied - between the association's president and Board Chairman Julian Bond. It also means that Bond will serve as the primary face and voice of the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization while Gordon assumes a less public role, applying his management skills to improve the NAACP. Although Mfume had good business sense, Alford, who has worked closely with Gordon, says that his leverage will allow the NAACP to tap into new resources."Civil rights is about equal opportunity for all," Alford says. Now the NAACP can go to IBM, and go to GM and others and say, 'I've been there, I know how to do it'" After a successful, 35-year career, Gordon retired from Verizon in December 2003 after serving as president of Retail Markets in Verizon's Domestic Telecom unit As head of Retail Markets, he was responsible for the company's consumer and small-business sales. Many NAACP insiders think the nine-member NAACP presidential search committee chose Cordon for his business acumen. Committee members were: Bond; Roslyn Brock, vice-chair, NAACP Board; Rupert Richardson, member, NAACP Board; former Republican Congressman Jack Kemp; Hugh B. Price, former president, the Na- , tional Urban League; Alice Huffman, member, NAACP Board; Philip Murphy, managing director, Investment Management Division, Goldman, Sachs ft Co. and member, NAACP SCF Trustee Board; Coleman Peterson, President/CEO Hollis Enterprises, LLC and member, NAACP SCF Trustee Board and Nicholas Wiggins, NAACP Youth Board Member. According to some, Board Chairman Julian Bond wanted someone with excellent tundraising abilities and unquestioned business savvy. The telecommunications industry veteran brought in $25 billion in annual revenue through his unit He managed 34,000 employees and served 33 million Continued to Page A3 Happy Birthday Ja'Kita Little Miss Ja'Kita McCrimon celebrated her first birthday on Saturday, June 11,2005 at the Omnivue Townhouse in Cleveland's Glenville area. Born June 10,2004, Ja'Kita is the daughter of Ms. Markita McCrimon of Cleveland. The birthday party was given by aunts Darlene McCrimon and Pearl McCrimon. Guest celebrating Ja'Kita's birthday were Pamela James, Carissa Mclntyre, Deandre Cooper, Jaquan McCrimon, Yushonna White, Marino Sheets, Tyler Thomas, Mario Sheets, Dejuannae, Morelle Johnson, Keayna Thomas, Kyla Kimbro, Curtis Anderson, Jr., Pearl McCrimon, Latrell Johnson, and Marquige Johnson. Photo by Bill Ellis Jr. Identity Theft/Credit Card Fraud Ring Busted LaW Enforcement Operation "EASY MONEY" Nets 322 Count Indictment Against 24 Persons The June 9,2005 takedown of a two year joint area law enforcement operation code name "EASY MONEVresulted in the arrest of 17 Akron residents announced Summit County Sheriff, Drew Alexander. In May, 2005, the Summit County Grand Jury returned a 322 count indictment against 24 persons. Charges include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, aggravated theft, misuse of credit cards, receiving stolen property, identity fraud, grand theft, at tempted theft, attempted misuse of credit cards, and petty theft. The principal subject who led the criminal organization, James Form an, 41, of Homestead St., Akron, Ohio, is still being sought. He is facing charges for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a felony of the 1st degree.Those arrested include: Vernon Curry, age 37 of Wyley Ave., Lalia Jones, age 27, of Ada St., Eloise Vainer, age 62, of Storcr Ave., Grady Varner, age 65 of Storer Ave., and Teresa Morgan, age 32, of East Archwood Ave. Curry Jones, Eloise and Grady Varner, and Teresa Morgan were also charged' with James Form an of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Others arrested were Renee Elkins, age 35, of Bertha Ave., Richard Form an, age 65, of Hartford Ave., Monica Reed, age 65, of Westerly Rd., TeiTy Worthey, age 48, of Weeks St., Kenneth Goodson, age 40, of Winton Ave., Cathesia Stone, age 35, of Madison Ave., Carolyn Thomas, age 38, of Delia Ave., Cherita Brunson, age 38, of Bertha Ave., Edna Taylor, age 24, of Whittier Ave., and Jonathon Form an, age 32, of Homestead St. Two more subjects were already in the Summit County Jail on other charges. The charges from the May 2005 indictment are being added. They arc Karen Shadie, age 40, of Wyley Ave., and ioh Boykin, age 32, of Weeks St. In addition to James Form an, six more persons are still being sought including Calvin Spencer, age 39, of Roslyn Ave., Nicole Knaff, age 30, of Amherst St., Howard Mack, age 44, of Carpenter St., Yolanda Richardson, age 44, of East Ave., Teairra Johnson, age 21, of Corice St., and Alvin Miller, age 43, of Madrid Dr. Judge Greg Mathis Keynotes ABCD Annual Dinner The Association for Better Community Development and Annual Dinner Chairperson, DeLores Pressley announce the 32nd Annual Dinner on Thursday, June 23, 2003 at the Marriott Hotel in Canton, Ohio. The theme for the Annual Dinner is "Making It Happen" and that is exactly what this years keynote speaker, Judge Greg Mathis did, made it happen. He was kicked out of five schools, and, at age 17, was into drugs and later dropped out of high school. As he awaited trial, he received a visit from his mother that would change his life forever. She would make a passionate appeal to the judge and Mathis was sentenced to obtain his G.E.D. instead of jail time. Mathis made a run for public office as judge for the 36th District. And now, can be seen daily on the Judge Mathis show, one of the leading national daytime judge programs. ABCD will award Entreprenuer Chris Smith, for Outstanding Community Contribution from an individual. Other award recipients will be Lesaic Myricks, for Life Time Achievement Award for over 50 years of community service, Sheila Barrino, Lisa Miller, for Outstanding Support to ABCD, and Community Treatment and Correction Center, for Outstanding Community Contribution from an Organization. Cosponsors for this event: American Cancer Society;, American Family Insurance; Charter One Bank; First Merit Bank' Key Bank; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; National City Bank, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing; Don't Smoke While Driving or Riding Judge Greg Mathis in a Vechicle Project; and Unizan Bank. The tickets are S3S.00 or S350.00 for a table of ten and now available at the ABCD office. Call (330)455-6385. Seating is limited. Buchtel Graduate Receives Doctoral Degree June 30th Deadline For Drug Card Program The Ohio Department of Insurance is reminding eligible Medicare beneficiaries that to receive the current $450 low income assistance credit with a Medicare prescription drug discount card, beneficiaries must enroll in a discount card program by midnight on June 30th. The initial $600 credit for 2005 is being reduced $ 150 each quarter. Eligible individuals enrolling in a Medicare approved discount drug card program between July 1st and September 30th qualify for a $300 credit, ? m and those enrolling on or after October 1 will receive a $150 credit. The card program will end January 1,2006 when Medicare begins offering prescription drug coverage. "I urge eligible low income beneficiaries to enroll in a Medicare-approved prescription drug card for the free $4.50 credit which will certainty help defray the costs of needed prescription drugs," Insurance Director Ann Womer Benjamin said "Furthermore, beneficiaries will save up to 25 percent on prescription drugs and even more on generics by enrolling in the Medicareapproved discount card program."Beneficiaries can enroll in the drug discount card program by calling the Ohio Department of Insurance Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) hotline at 1-800-6861578 or the Medicare hotline at 1-800MEDICARE. Beneficiaries can also enroll online at wwwjnedicare.gov. The drug card enrollment fee, Continued to Page A6 T j -a K! JlLHHk I Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Janice Bourda Mercier, CEO, Akron-UMADAOP, Inc., Dr. Johnaette Christi Mercier and Vashti D. Orslcy. Former John R. Buchtel High School graduate, Johnnette Chritti Mercier (1998) received her doctoral degree in Pharmacy. Johnnette graduated from Hampton University on May 8,2005. Dr. Mercier will be commissioned as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Johnnette and her daughter Vashti will be stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Little Rock, Arkansas where she will be a Pharmacist. She is the daughter of Dr. Janice Bourda Mercier, CEO of Akron-UMADAOP, Inc. America's Most wanted Catches Ohio Fugitive Akron lawyer indicted on 19 counts including rape of infant girl A Summit County grand jury indicted long-sought fugitive John Lockhard, 36, formerly of Marvin Avenue in Akron, a lawyer who was captured in California on 19 counts including two counts of rape of a three-monthold infant girl, attempted rape, three counts of gross sexual imposition and child endangering involving the same baby, according to Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. Lockhard was to be brought back to Akron alter he waived extradition in California, and will be arraigned at a date to be set before the Summit County Common Pleas Court magistrate on the charges. Other charges include 12 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor relating to creating, producing and directing obscene photographs of the infant he is charged with raping in numerous ways including orally and anally, as well as photo had at his Akron home that shows, among other things, photographs of adults having sex with babies, children posing nude, and children having sex with other children. If convicted, he could face a possible maximum sentence of life in prison. "The defendant was totally into a deviant sexual lifestyle, and as time progressed, he took it to more extreme levels, to thd point he actually engaged in sexual conduct with me threemonth-old," Walsh said. The case came to light after a former partner in a home rehabilitation business in Akron had a falling out with Lockhart and obtained the computer they used for their busines from Lockhart's home on Apgust 6, 2004. In checking the computer for problems, a software company found evidence of child pornography on stored images. Police were notified, and found more than 100 pornographic photos. A nationwide search began for Continued to Page A3 Hispanic Population Passes 40 Million, Census Bureau Reports | The nation's Hispanic population reached 41.5 million as of July 1.2004, according to national estimates by race, Hispanic origin and age released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Hispanks, who may be of any race, accounted for about onehalf of the national population growth of 2.9 million between July 1,2003, and July 1,2004. The Hispanic growth rate of 3.6 percent over the 12-month pe" ' ' jj iA! . m; ? riod was more than three times that of the total population (1.0 percent).The Census Bureau estimates the number of Asians in the United States at 14.0 million, up 3.4 percent (Unless otherwise specified, the data refer to the population who reported a race alone or in combination with one or more other races. The tables show dam for both this group and those who reported a single race only.) Following Asians in rate of growth were native Hawaiian s rnd other Pacific islanders (1.7 percent, to 980,000), blacks (1.3 percent, to 392 million), American Indians and Alaska natives (1.0 percent, to 4.4 million) and whites (0.8 percent, to 239.9 million). The population of non-Hispanic whites who indicated no other race increased 0.3 percent, to 197.1 million. The total number of preschoolers (under age 5) to the United States in 2004 was estimated at 20.1 million. Nationally, 7 percent of the population was under age 5. By race and Hispanic origin, this pro portion ranged from almost 11 percent for Hispanics to 6 percent for stogie-race non-Hispanic whites and for American Indians and Alaska natives. Coatfnned to Page A7 I I I I ? Akron Firefighter Receives The 2005 National Burn Prevention Award Akron Fire Department's Public Education Specialist Mark A. Harper Sr. received the 2005 National Burn Prevention Award on May 11, 2005. This award is given for contributions in the area of burn prevention that has an impact on a local, state or national level. The American Bum Association (ABA) sponsors the award and the Bum Prevention Committee of the ABA selects candidates. Mr. Harper has worked on many projects over his 20-year career and has been dedicated to implementation of these projects throughout the coun J-W Af L*fm dOkmimd ;;.. >?? ifiS Mark A. Harper Sr. try as well as the Akron community.What also made tnis a speContinued to Page A8 ? ? K Fuller Street Landscaping Project Highlights National Group The East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation and FirstMerit Bank employees joined forces to kick off a nine-home landscaping project for new houses on Fuller Street in Akron on Saturday, June 11 The four-hour project was done to showcase Neighbor Works Week, June 411, 2005. NeighborWorks America is part of the National Reinvestment Corporation, a national agency dedicated to improving the nation's bousing stock. Some 225 organizations have banded together to positively impact 2,500 communities in the United States. Member sites across the country staged unique events that week to highlight the NWA commitment.Eighteen FirstMerit Bank employees from 13 depart ments volunteered their skills during the morning planting session. Alton Walkin, who works with First Merit Mortgage, arrived well ahead of the announced 9 am. start time. "I am an ex-military man," he said, clad in heavy work boots and pouring coffee for himself just past 8 a.m. "To me, early is on time," Walkin said Volunteer Sarah McCartney, of FirstMerit*s Community Development, said employee response was overwhelming. To accommodate everyone, she said, sending volunteers in twohour shifts was considered. Instead, all volunteers were asked to appear at the scheduled stmt time Employees Catherine Myricks, Lezle Hodge, Jennifer Oroszewski, Kimberly Young, Kimberly Metz and VerdJe Franklin also lent a hand on the hot weekend mora"twr members Robin Bennett, Patricia Hooks Nardella Stockard, Lisa Leach, Pamela Mayfield, Kenneth Tirpack, lan Whinnem, Batty Roark and Katftryn Schmitt also spent themoming digging, hoeing, mulching and watering small trees, greenery and flowers.By lunchtime, the enthusiastic group had planted eight varieties of flowers- as well aa weeping cherry and boxwood trees. Cold lunches, drinks and water were donated by Dave's Supermarket and the East Akron Neighborhood Corporation.Hydro Lawn Landscaping, owned by area resident Curds Jacobs, provided technical assistance and greenery

iMWtt ^Reporter! * 1 ? Email: www.reporter140juno.com ?V your Reporter Newspaper's primary mission is to.... "Cover the News of Northeastern Ohio comprehensively, fairly, and accuratelyr A Light In The Darkness vol. xxxvi ?- w june 18,2005 thru June 25,2005 SECTION A 25 Cents Per Copy ? NOT GUILTY Accuser's Mother Sunk the Cose, Soy Jurors On Monday, June 13, a jury of 12 men and women found superstar Michael Jackson NOT GUILTY on all charges in his child molestation case. The key issue seemed to be the credibility of the accuser's mother according to news reports.The jury acquitted Jackson of 10 counts of molestation, attempted molestation, plying minors with liquor and conspiracy. Jurors deliberated for more than 24 hours over a seven day period before announcing the unanimous decision.Jackson was accused of molesting the now 15-year-old boy, who spent time at his Noverland ranch and appeared with him on the 2003 British documentary "Living With Michael Jackson." One inror said he believes that Jackson may be guilty, but the prosecution did not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Defense attorneys for J acktcm cart doubt oath* credibility of the accuser and his family, particularly his mother She testified that Jackson allegedly conspiried to hold her and her family hostage so they But the various defense witnesses protraved her as a welfare cheat who exploited her son's illness to contact celebrities and live lavishly off Jack son "I don't believe the mother inflicted good values in her kids and that made it hard for me to believe anyone in the family," one juror said. With a sigh of relief from Jackson's adoring fans, the questions now remains whether Jack son has learned his lesson about having young children sleep in his bed?; bow this will affect his superstar status?; and will he be able to reconstruct his career? "We stopped seeing Jackson as a celebrity and started seeing him as a regular person NAACP To Name Corporate Executive As Its Next President By Makebra M. Anderson NNPA National Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA)- A special NAACP search committee has recommended that former President and CEO Kweisi Mufume be succeeded by Bruce Gordon, a former senior executive at Verizon. The full board is expected to accept the recommendation when it meets June 25 in Atlanta. "I think this is an excellent choice. I think it's the best choice the NAACP has made since they had [Benjamin L.] Hooks," says Harry Alford, president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. "Gordon has good corporate executive experience, but he's also been in charge of diversity over at Verizon, so he knows how and what a major corporation can do." The selection of Gordon caught even some board members by surprise. Acting President Dennis Hayes did not leam of the selection until the story was broken last Friday by April Ryan on American Urban Radio Network. An unknown in the civil rights movement, Gordon's impending confirmation is expected to alter some of the friction that previously existed - but was publicly denied - between the association's president and Board Chairman Julian Bond. It also means that Bond will serve as the primary face and voice of the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization while Gordon assumes a less public role, applying his management skills to improve the NAACP. Although Mfume had good business sense, Alford, who has worked closely with Gordon, says that his leverage will allow the NAACP to tap into new resources."Civil rights is about equal opportunity for all," Alford says. Now the NAACP can go to IBM, and go to GM and others and say, 'I've been there, I know how to do it'" After a successful, 35-year career, Gordon retired from Verizon in December 2003 after serving as president of Retail Markets in Verizon's Domestic Telecom unit As head of Retail Markets, he was responsible for the company's consumer and small-business sales. Many NAACP insiders think the nine-member NAACP presidential search committee chose Cordon for his business acumen. Committee members were: Bond; Roslyn Brock, vice-chair, NAACP Board; Rupert Richardson, member, NAACP Board; former Republican Congressman Jack Kemp; Hugh B. Price, former president, the Na- , tional Urban League; Alice Huffman, member, NAACP Board; Philip Murphy, managing director, Investment Management Division, Goldman, Sachs ft Co. and member, NAACP SCF Trustee Board; Coleman Peterson, President/CEO Hollis Enterprises, LLC and member, NAACP SCF Trustee Board and Nicholas Wiggins, NAACP Youth Board Member. According to some, Board Chairman Julian Bond wanted someone with excellent tundraising abilities and unquestioned business savvy. The telecommunications industry veteran brought in $25 billion in annual revenue through his unit He managed 34,000 employees and served 33 million Continued to Page A3 Happy Birthday Ja'Kita Little Miss Ja'Kita McCrimon celebrated her first birthday on Saturday, June 11,2005 at the Omnivue Townhouse in Cleveland's Glenville area. Born June 10,2004, Ja'Kita is the daughter of Ms. Markita McCrimon of Cleveland. The birthday party was given by aunts Darlene McCrimon and Pearl McCrimon. Guest celebrating Ja'Kita's birthday were Pamela James, Carissa Mclntyre, Deandre Cooper, Jaquan McCrimon, Yushonna White, Marino Sheets, Tyler Thomas, Mario Sheets, Dejuannae, Morelle Johnson, Keayna Thomas, Kyla Kimbro, Curtis Anderson, Jr., Pearl McCrimon, Latrell Johnson, and Marquige Johnson. Photo by Bill Ellis Jr. Identity Theft/Credit Card Fraud Ring Busted LaW Enforcement Operation "EASY MONEY" Nets 322 Count Indictment Against 24 Persons The June 9,2005 takedown of a two year joint area law enforcement operation code name "EASY MONEVresulted in the arrest of 17 Akron residents announced Summit County Sheriff, Drew Alexander. In May, 2005, the Summit County Grand Jury returned a 322 count indictment against 24 persons. Charges include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, aggravated theft, misuse of credit cards, receiving stolen property, identity fraud, grand theft, at tempted theft, attempted misuse of credit cards, and petty theft. The principal subject who led the criminal organization, James Form an, 41, of Homestead St., Akron, Ohio, is still being sought. He is facing charges for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a felony of the 1st degree.Those arrested include: Vernon Curry, age 37 of Wyley Ave., Lalia Jones, age 27, of Ada St., Eloise Vainer, age 62, of Storcr Ave., Grady Varner, age 65 of Storer Ave., and Teresa Morgan, age 32, of East Archwood Ave. Curry Jones, Eloise and Grady Varner, and Teresa Morgan were also charged' with James Form an of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Others arrested were Renee Elkins, age 35, of Bertha Ave., Richard Form an, age 65, of Hartford Ave., Monica Reed, age 65, of Westerly Rd., TeiTy Worthey, age 48, of Weeks St., Kenneth Goodson, age 40, of Winton Ave., Cathesia Stone, age 35, of Madison Ave., Carolyn Thomas, age 38, of Delia Ave., Cherita Brunson, age 38, of Bertha Ave., Edna Taylor, age 24, of Whittier Ave., and Jonathon Form an, age 32, of Homestead St. Two more subjects were already in the Summit County Jail on other charges. The charges from the May 2005 indictment are being added. They arc Karen Shadie, age 40, of Wyley Ave., and ioh Boykin, age 32, of Weeks St. In addition to James Form an, six more persons are still being sought including Calvin Spencer, age 39, of Roslyn Ave., Nicole Knaff, age 30, of Amherst St., Howard Mack, age 44, of Carpenter St., Yolanda Richardson, age 44, of East Ave., Teairra Johnson, age 21, of Corice St., and Alvin Miller, age 43, of Madrid Dr. Judge Greg Mathis Keynotes ABCD Annual Dinner The Association for Better Community Development and Annual Dinner Chairperson, DeLores Pressley announce the 32nd Annual Dinner on Thursday, June 23, 2003 at the Marriott Hotel in Canton, Ohio. The theme for the Annual Dinner is "Making It Happen" and that is exactly what this years keynote speaker, Judge Greg Mathis did, made it happen. He was kicked out of five schools, and, at age 17, was into drugs and later dropped out of high school. As he awaited trial, he received a visit from his mother that would change his life forever. She would make a passionate appeal to the judge and Mathis was sentenced to obtain his G.E.D. instead of jail time. Mathis made a run for public office as judge for the 36th District. And now, can be seen daily on the Judge Mathis show, one of the leading national daytime judge programs. ABCD will award Entreprenuer Chris Smith, for Outstanding Community Contribution from an individual. Other award recipients will be Lesaic Myricks, for Life Time Achievement Award for over 50 years of community service, Sheila Barrino, Lisa Miller, for Outstanding Support to ABCD, and Community Treatment and Correction Center, for Outstanding Community Contribution from an Organization. Cosponsors for this event: American Cancer Society;, American Family Insurance; Charter One Bank; First Merit Bank' Key Bank; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; National City Bank, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing; Don't Smoke While Driving or Riding Judge Greg Mathis in a Vechicle Project; and Unizan Bank. The tickets are S3S.00 or S350.00 for a table of ten and now available at the ABCD office. Call (330)455-6385. Seating is limited. Buchtel Graduate Receives Doctoral Degree June 30th Deadline For Drug Card Program The Ohio Department of Insurance is reminding eligible Medicare beneficiaries that to receive the current $450 low income assistance credit with a Medicare prescription drug discount card, beneficiaries must enroll in a discount card program by midnight on June 30th. The initial $600 credit for 2005 is being reduced $ 150 each quarter. Eligible individuals enrolling in a Medicare approved discount drug card program between July 1st and September 30th qualify for a $300 credit, ? m and those enrolling on or after October 1 will receive a $150 credit. The card program will end January 1,2006 when Medicare begins offering prescription drug coverage. "I urge eligible low income beneficiaries to enroll in a Medicare-approved prescription drug card for the free $4.50 credit which will certainty help defray the costs of needed prescription drugs," Insurance Director Ann Womer Benjamin said "Furthermore, beneficiaries will save up to 25 percent on prescription drugs and even more on generics by enrolling in the Medicareapproved discount card program."Beneficiaries can enroll in the drug discount card program by calling the Ohio Department of Insurance Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) hotline at 1-800-6861578 or the Medicare hotline at 1-800MEDICARE. Beneficiaries can also enroll online at wwwjnedicare.gov. The drug card enrollment fee, Continued to Page A6 T j -a K! JlLHHk I Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Janice Bourda Mercier, CEO, Akron-UMADAOP, Inc., Dr. Johnaette Christi Mercier and Vashti D. Orslcy. Former John R. Buchtel High School graduate, Johnnette Chritti Mercier (1998) received her doctoral degree in Pharmacy. Johnnette graduated from Hampton University on May 8,2005. Dr. Mercier will be commissioned as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Johnnette and her daughter Vashti will be stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Little Rock, Arkansas where she will be a Pharmacist. She is the daughter of Dr. Janice Bourda Mercier, CEO of Akron-UMADAOP, Inc. America's Most wanted Catches Ohio Fugitive Akron lawyer indicted on 19 counts including rape of infant girl A Summit County grand jury indicted long-sought fugitive John Lockhard, 36, formerly of Marvin Avenue in Akron, a lawyer who was captured in California on 19 counts including two counts of rape of a three-monthold infant girl, attempted rape, three counts of gross sexual imposition and child endangering involving the same baby, according to Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. Lockhard was to be brought back to Akron alter he waived extradition in California, and will be arraigned at a date to be set before the Summit County Common Pleas Court magistrate on the charges. Other charges include 12 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor relating to creating, producing and directing obscene photographs of the infant he is charged with raping in numerous ways including orally and anally, as well as photo had at his Akron home that shows, among other things, photographs of adults having sex with babies, children posing nude, and children having sex with other children. If convicted, he could face a possible maximum sentence of life in prison. "The defendant was totally into a deviant sexual lifestyle, and as time progressed, he took it to more extreme levels, to thd point he actually engaged in sexual conduct with me threemonth-old," Walsh said. The case came to light after a former partner in a home rehabilitation business in Akron had a falling out with Lockhart and obtained the computer they used for their busines from Lockhart's home on Apgust 6, 2004. In checking the computer for problems, a software company found evidence of child pornography on stored images. Police were notified, and found more than 100 pornographic photos. A nationwide search began for Continued to Page A3 Hispanic Population Passes 40 Million, Census Bureau Reports | The nation's Hispanic population reached 41.5 million as of July 1.2004, according to national estimates by race, Hispanic origin and age released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Hispanks, who may be of any race, accounted for about onehalf of the national population growth of 2.9 million between July 1,2003, and July 1,2004. The Hispanic growth rate of 3.6 percent over the 12-month pe" ' ' jj iA! . m; ? riod was more than three times that of the total population (1.0 percent).The Census Bureau estimates the number of Asians in the United States at 14.0 million, up 3.4 percent (Unless otherwise specified, the data refer to the population who reported a race alone or in combination with one or more other races. The tables show dam for both this group and those who reported a single race only.) Following Asians in rate of growth were native Hawaiian s rnd other Pacific islanders (1.7 percent, to 980,000), blacks (1.3 percent, to 392 million), American Indians and Alaska natives (1.0 percent, to 4.4 million) and whites (0.8 percent, to 239.9 million). The population of non-Hispanic whites who indicated no other race increased 0.3 percent, to 197.1 million. The total number of preschoolers (under age 5) to the United States in 2004 was estimated at 20.1 million. Nationally, 7 percent of the population was under age 5. By race and Hispanic origin, this pro portion ranged from almost 11 percent for Hispanics to 6 percent for stogie-race non-Hispanic whites and for American Indians and Alaska natives. Coatfnned to Page A7 I I I I ? Akron Firefighter Receives The 2005 National Burn Prevention Award Akron Fire Department's Public Education Specialist Mark A. Harper Sr. received the 2005 National Burn Prevention Award on May 11, 2005. This award is given for contributions in the area of burn prevention that has an impact on a local, state or national level. The American Bum Association (ABA) sponsors the award and the Bum Prevention Committee of the ABA selects candidates. Mr. Harper has worked on many projects over his 20-year career and has been dedicated to implementation of these projects throughout the coun J-W Af L*fm dOkmimd ;;.. >?? ifiS Mark A. Harper Sr. try as well as the Akron community.What also made tnis a speContinued to Page A8 ? ? K Fuller Street Landscaping Project Highlights National Group The East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation and FirstMerit Bank employees joined forces to kick off a nine-home landscaping project for new houses on Fuller Street in Akron on Saturday, June 11 The four-hour project was done to showcase Neighbor Works Week, June 411, 2005. NeighborWorks America is part of the National Reinvestment Corporation, a national agency dedicated to improving the nation's bousing stock. Some 225 organizations have banded together to positively impact 2,500 communities in the United States. Member sites across the country staged unique events that week to highlight the NWA commitment.Eighteen FirstMerit Bank employees from 13 depart ments volunteered their skills during the morning planting session. Alton Walkin, who works with First Merit Mortgage, arrived well ahead of the announced 9 am. start time. "I am an ex-military man," he said, clad in heavy work boots and pouring coffee for himself just past 8 a.m. "To me, early is on time," Walkin said Volunteer Sarah McCartney, of FirstMerit*s Community Development, said employee response was overwhelming. To accommodate everyone, she said, sending volunteers in twohour shifts was considered. Instead, all volunteers were asked to appear at the scheduled stmt time Employees Catherine Myricks, Lezle Hodge, Jennifer Oroszewski, Kimberly Young, Kimberly Metz and VerdJe Franklin also lent a hand on the hot weekend mora"twr members Robin Bennett, Patricia Hooks Nardella Stockard, Lisa Leach, Pamela Mayfield, Kenneth Tirpack, lan Whinnem, Batty Roark and Katftryn Schmitt also spent themoming digging, hoeing, mulching and watering small trees, greenery and flowers.By lunchtime, the enthusiastic group had planted eight varieties of flowers- as well aa weeping cherry and boxwood trees. Cold lunches, drinks and water were donated by Dave's Supermarket and the East Akron Neighborhood Corporation.Hydro Lawn Landscaping, owned by area resident Curds Jacobs, provided technical assistance and greenery